Why can bare soil increase erosion in fruit orchards?

In fruit farming, leaving the soil surface bare—often a result of clean cultivation or chemical weed control—significantly increases the risk of soil erosion.

When the soil is exposed, it loses the protective cover of vegetation, making it highly susceptible to the erosive forces of wind and flowing water. This process removes vital topsoil, which contains essential humus and nutrients necessary for plant health. Furthermore, the destruction of organic matter associated with bare soil management causes the soil structure to degrade, shifting from a loose, friable state to one that is tight and compacted.12

To mitigate these risks, many modern orchards utilize alternative strategies such as mulching, cover cropping, or maintaining permanent sod in row middles, which help stabilize the soil and preserve its long-term fertility.2